Autor

Resumen

Forest inventory data can be used along with remotely sensed data to estimate
biomass and carbon stocks over large and inaccessible forested areas. In this study,
the relationship between satellite-derived multispectral data and forest variables
from intervened and non-intervened Nothofagus pumilio forest stands located in
theMagellan region of Chile was examined, in order to quantify the over bark volume
(OBV) and aboveground tree biomass (AGTB). Four vegetation parameters –
the green normalised difference vegetation index (GNDVI), normalised difference
vegetation index (NDVI), simple ratio (SR) and vegetation cover fraction (VCF)
– were retrieved from an Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection
Radiometer (ASTER) image of the study area. The results indicate that only the
VCF presents significant differences among intervened and non-intervened stands.
The best OBV and AGTB models (R2 = 0.58) were found using the SR index and
the VCF as predictors. This result could be transferred to estimate biomass and
volume in other Nothofagus pumilio forests with similar conditions. Moreover, it
can be used to assess temporal carbon changes.